Joh. Mayor, in the first book of his History of Scotland, contends much for the wholesomeness of oaten bread; it was objected to him, then living at Paris, that his countrymen fed on oats and base grain . And yet Wecker out of Galen calls it horse-meat, and fitter juments than men to feed on.17

Almost in every kingdom the most ancient families have been at first princes bastards; their worthiest captains, best wits, greatest scholars, bravest spirits in all our annals, have been base [born].

As he said in Machiavel, omnes eodem patre nati, Adams sons, conceived all and born in sin, etc. We are by nature all as one, all alike, if you see us naked; let us wear theirs and they our clothes, and what is the difference?

Note 1.See Fletcher, page 184.There s not a string attuned to mirthBut has its chord in melancholy.Thomas Hood: Ode to Melancholy. [back]

Note 2.Dr. Johnson said Burtons Anatomy of Melancholy was the only book that ever took him out of bed two hours sooner than he wished to rise. And Byron said, If the reader has patience to go through his volumes, he will be more improved for literary conversation than by the perusal of any twenty other works with which I am acquainted.Works, vol i. p. 144. [back]

Note 8.Arts and sciences are not cast in a mould, but are formed and perfected by degrees, by often handling and polishing, as bears leisurely lick their cubs into form.Montaigne: Apology for Raimond Sebond, book ii. chap. xii. [back]

Note 9.Like watermen who look astern while they row the boat ahead.Plutarch: Whether t was rightfully said, Live concealed.

Like rowers, who advance backward.Montaigne: Of Profit and Honour, book iii. chap. i. [back]

Note 17.Oats,a grain which is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.Samuel Johnson: Dictionary of the English Language. [back]

Note 18.Carpet knights are men who are by the princes grace and favour made knights at home . They are called carpet knights because they receive their honours in the court and upon carpets.Markham: Booke of Honour (1625).

Note 21.Qui vino indulget, quemque alea decoquit, illeIn venerem putret(He who is given to drink, and whom the dice are despoiling, is the one who rots away in sexual vice).Persius: Satires, satire v. [back]

Note 40.Saint Augustine was in the habit of dining upon Saturday as upon Sunday; but being puzzled with the different practices then prevailing (for they had begun to fast at Rome on Saturday), consulted Saint Ambrose on the subject. Now at Milan they did not fast on Saturday, and the answer of the Milan saint was this: Quando hic sum, non jejuno Sabbato; quando Romæ sum, jejuno Sabbato (When I am here, I do not fast on Saturday; when at Rome, I do fast on Saturday).Epistle xxxvi. to Casulanus. [back]